Goa: History, Former Names & Timeline
Centre of the Portuguese empire in Asia, the ‘Rome of the East’, which joined India only in 1961.
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Former names of Goa
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1510 | Old Goa | capital of Portuguese India |
Timeline of Goa
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1510 | Afonso de Albuquerque captures Goa |
| 1542 | Francis Xavier arrives in Goa |
| 1560 | The Inquisition is established in Goa |
| 1843 | The capital moves to Panaji |
| 1961 | India takes Goa |
Who ruled Goa
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–401 BC | Iron Age megalith cultures |
| 400 BC–324 BC | Hindu kingdoms |
| 323 BC–201 BC | Hindu kingdoms and republics |
| 200 BC–2 BC | Mauryan Empire |
| 1 BC–499 | Satavahanihara |
| 500–599 | Vakataka |
| 600–799 | Chalukyas |
| 800–899 | Rashtrakuta state |
| 900–999 | Rashtrakuta |
| 1000–1099 | Chalukya Empire |
| 1100–1199 | Western Chalukyas |
| 1200–1299 | Rajput kingdoms |
| 1300–1399 | minor Hindu kingdoms |
| 1400–1491 | Sultanate of Delhi |
| 1492–1699 | Vijayanagara |
| 1700–1782 | Mughal Empire |
| 1783–1879 | Maratha Confederacy |
| 1880–1944 | British Raj |
| 1945–today | India |
Famous people of Goa
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| c. 1469 – 1524 | Vasco da Gama | Navigator |
Nearby cities
- Vijayanagara · about 275 km
- Mumbai · about 413 km
- Calicut · about 514 km
Further reading
Questions about Goa
What was Goa called in the past?
Goa has been known as Old Goa (from 1510, capital of Portuguese India). Its present name dates from 1510.
Which states have ruled Goa?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Goa lies within 19 different states: Iron Age megalith cultures, Hindu kingdoms, Hindu kingdoms and republics, Mauryan Empire, Satavahanihara, Vakataka, Chalukyas, Rashtrakuta state, Rashtrakuta, Chalukya Empire and others.
What are the key dates in the history of Goa?
1510: Afonso de Albuquerque captures Goa. 1542: Francis Xavier arrives in Goa. 1560: The Inquisition is established in Goa. 1843: The capital moves to Panaji. 1961: India takes Goa.
Which famous people are connected with Goa?
Vasco da Gama (navigator, c. 1469 – 1524).
Last updated 9 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.